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Bill Gress was born March 21st, 1929 in Cedar Rapids Iowa and his family moved to Davenport in 1937. He was a product of Davenport School, attending both high school and St. Ambrose College (1948-1951). At the latter institute, Bill made quite a mark for himself with the debate team, gathering numerous state honors. He was a radio speaking student there as well. Working in the advertising department of The Davenport Democrat preceded his advent into radio. He joined WOC on Labor Day 1948 and was an important part of WOC's news department and special events staff and has a big following in the area. His many stints on TV include Rural Roundup, weekdays at noon (his work also includes that of TV farm director), and the show If You Asked Me, popular local panel show seen each Sunday afternoon. In addition, he presented the editorial "Comment" during newscasts, local documentaries and public affairs productions for WOC television and radio. His career also included the Call Bill Gress program on WOC Radio. |
| As written in Life Magazine by Hugh Sidney in an article printed in the April 2nd edition, Bill Gress received the suprise of his lifetime while at WOC. Bill Gress was in a meeting with the station manager when his switchboard operator buzzed and said "I don't know what this is. They say the President would like to speak with you." Gress gripped his phone with unusual fierceness, not sure what was coming. Then came the low, familiar voice: "Bill, I just wanted to thank you for the nice coverage your station did on my visit to Iowa." He called me Bill, Gress thought with suprise, at the same time realizing that a lot of important people had called him Bill. Then the moment disolved into a pleasant chatter around astronauts and golf, and Gress found himself unconsciously sitting at attention. After three or four minutes, Nixon said goodbye. Gress sat there holding the dead phone, thinking back on 20 long years of watching politics...... |
Married 1951. Wife's name Dolores (Dee) Ann (who was Miss Rocket in 1950); five daughters.
Bill worked at a local newspaper before joining WOC.
Joined WOC in September 1949 as a disc jockey. Switched to news department in 1951. Became Assistant News Director in 1955.
Joined Dr. LeGear Industrial Firm in St. Louis, Missouri in 1957 as Advertising Manager and Director of Public Relations.
Returned to WOC in 1959. Appointed Director of Public Affairs in 1961.
Member, Board of Directors, Davenport Chamber of Commerce. (Lifetime Member, former Director)
Chairman, Press, Radio and Television Committee, Iowa Synod, Lutheran Church of America.
Past President Mississippi Valley Press Club.
Member Davenport Kiwanis Club (former secretary).
Vice-Chairman, Mayor's Youth Commission, Davenport.
Iowa Illinois Public Relations Council
Quad Cities Airmans Association.
Citizens Advisory Council Bi-State Metropolitan Planning Commission
National Broadcast Editorial Conference
Mississippi Valley Press Club (Board Member and former President)
Special Advisor to Davenport City Transit Authority
Public Relations Consultant
Has served as a Board member of Community Pride, Inc. of Davenport; Chairman of the Press, Radio and Television,
Vice Chairman of the Mayors Youth Commission.
Bill Gress resigned from WOC in May of 1973 after twenty-five years with the station to pursue speaking engagements, freelance writing, commercial activities, pulic relations and enjoy life.
Hobbies; bowling, golf and boating.
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Bill Gress' schedule when he had just one daughter was as follows;
Radio Programs: |
Max Lindberg was not only a WOC news reporter with Bill, he was also his friend. Max remembers this hilarious story which involved Bill.
Bill Gress was unflappable, with great poise and professionalism. Each day just a few minutes before his 5:30 pm newscast, Bill would place his copy on the table, leave the studio for a bathroom break or cigarette, then come back at the last minute, take his place and begin reading.
One of the floor crew, while he was gone, stapled his news copy to the desk. Bill sat down, did his usual greeting, and began reading the news without even a flicker of amusement. He just quietly tore each sheet from it's mooring and continued on like nothing had happened.
